Less than six months after Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling passed away from cancer, her fellow experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla are filming the show’s new season. But, as they revealed on the Logie Awards red carpet, it’s not easy making MAFS without Mel.
“It’s very difficult,” John told TV WEEK.
Alessandra agreed. “That part has been, I would say, a big part of what’s so new about coming on this year. Clearly the energy’s different and we’re building a new show without her. Missing her very much along the way. Yes, it’s very tough.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 16: Alessandra Rampolla attends the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 16, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
Puerto Rican sexologist Alessandra joined MAFS in 2021, replacing Dr Trisha Stratford who was one of the show’s original experts. John Aiken is the only expert who has filmed every season of the show since it began in 2015.
Rumours have been flying that a new expert has been hired for Married At First Sight this season, but John and Alessandra aren’t giving anything away just yet.
“All will be revealed,” John teases.
“So many surprises this year,” Alessandra adds.
Mel Shilling, Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken were the experi
As for this year’s cast of brides and grooms, and how their marriages go, John says there are some “real big surprises” early on this season.
“I mean, we’re always surprised,” he explains, “but we’ve got some bombshells early.”
“It’s always really exciting to start a new season and watch how they reveal themselves to us,” Alessandra adds.
John says there are a lot of people that are starting to get “that chemistry”.
“One of the big things is whether the singles that come on are able to open themselves up and experience new things or whether they just keep repeating the same patterns,” he explains, “and this year, they’ve really thrown themselves into it.”
“We love seeing people committed to the experiment and we have a lot of that this year,” Alessandra adds.
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